Blog

Everyone asks about where is the best place to buy a condo in Vancouver. In the West End? Maybe Fairview Slopes? Perhaps by Coal Harbour? I’m referring to the location within the building itself which many don’t think much about. North facing units are cooler but get less natural light. South-west facing units, especially for high rises, are very bright but also get the most heat and sun. Corner units have great exposure and more air flow when windows are open. Ground floor units tend to have bigger patios and perfect for pets where allowed while others worry about security. Higher floors have better views but more steps to take should the elevators need servicing. A unit by an elevator is convenient but also has more noise and traffic. These and much more are considerations that our salespeople can bring to your attention. Wouldn’t you want to know before you move in instead of finding out afterwards? It really is about your preferences.

With the price of real estate continuing to rise year over year more than the rate of inflation, will you ever be able to get into the market? Over the last 20+ years, we have gone through several cycles with peaks and troughs. Each correction was followed by an increase which exceeded the previous high. First time buyers need to understand that the first purchase will not be the dream home. Remember when you bought your first car in high school? Expectations need to be realistic and sacrifices need to be made. Saving for the down payment may mean foregoing the daily mocha or lunches out. It may mean getting a used vehicle instead of financing or leasing a new sports car that depreciates and is not tax deductible. It may mean not replacing your smart phone every time the latest model is released. It’s a matter of controlling or determining the spending as necessary or not really required. We have helped many buyers get their financial affairs together to buy their first home and they have never looked back. They also thought that they could never afford it. It is never too late if you plan ahead. If you are tired of renting and would like a place to call home, you need to act on it today.

As per my previous blogs and what I have been advising our clients, the local real estate market is unique. The economic and political stability, quality of life, the natural beauty and the sound social and education system is desirable world-wide. This is confirmed by the latest 2011 census report from Statistics Canada shows that our population is growing faster than any G8 nation, fuelled primarily by immigration and the bulk landing in Western Canada. For Metro Vancouver with its’ limited land base, it just means that prices can only head one way overall. This explains why Surrey and Port Moody is experiencing 19.9% and 18.6% growth respectively when compared to 2006. More than 200,000 new residents came to Metro Vancouver since 2006. This and more is expected to continue for the next 20+ years by 1.6 million. Vancouver has been quoted for many years as one of the best places to live in the world by many sources including the Economist, the Conde Nast, Mercer, and others. If you are in the market to buy your first home, I would suggest that you act sooner than later.

Did you know that you could be saving up to $750 in income tax if you recently bought your first home? Many have forgotten about the Federal program that was introduced under Canada’s Economic Action Plan Budget 2009. The Home Buyers’ Tax Credit (HBTC) is a non-refundable tax credit based on the amount of $5,000 that you claim in your personal income tax return on line 369. You would claim this amount in the year you completed on your home. So if you bought your first home last year, you could have up to a $750 surprise bonus this April! For more details about this program, please click here: HBTC

Coldwell Banker

The Coldwell Banker brand has been in existence since 1908 and Westburn Realty has been a local force since 1985. Combined with the Ownership and management team who have, on average, 28 years experience in licensed brokerage, it's safe to say we been around for a bit. You can have confidence that we can get the job done to your satisfaction.